@ Mr. Solomon: How To Combat Racism by Confronting People Who Make Statements That 'Sound' Racist (with Love)

I may not be the most credible person to offer an opinion on racism. But I do know when somebody gives good advice that makes sense.

That was an amazing three minute demonstration of the power of reasoning, intelligence and common sense—a supreme example of CRITICAL THINKING in action.

He astutely analyzed the problem by breaking it into its component parts and explored the implications of each part so we could see how it would play out in the real world.

He isolated two separate tracks: ‘WHAT THEY DID” and “WHAT THEY ARE”.

Then he compared the two methods. He cautioned about the futility of talking about WHAT THEY ARE and speculating about someone’s motivation. You can’t get into somebody’s heart. If you try, the conversation goes nowhere because the accused will deny it. You will never get beyond the “You’re a racist”—“No I’m not” loop.

He warned about the ineffectiveness of making accusations based on what you ‘THINK” about someone’s inner motivations.

He clearly stated the overriding need: to hold someone ACCOUNTABLE for actions and words that may be considered racist.

The only way to do that in the real world, he says, is to force them to confront them with their actual words and actions. Words and actions are on record. There are observable. The culprit can’t escape them or deny them—and if they try you nail them for lying.

In other words, address WHAT THEY DID, not WHAT THEY ARE.

Beautiful!

Brother Rich
Yes of course you are credible to comment on racism, because I have read your blogs and there is nothing in them that makes me to believe you have made statements that could be viewed as racist. The bottom line is that people need to be held accountable for what they say and in this case write and post.

Brother Clark,
Your friend Bob probably wasn't a racist, but probably more of a person prone to believe and buy into stereotypes. Accountability is what Bob was held to at the end of the day and that's what it should have been about. It's good that he called to apologize to you and that you accepted. On matters of race relations open communication is the key that will build bridges of understanding rather than erect walls and further roadblocks to understanding our differences.

Of course you know that I'm big on immigration and I've been watching the world and nations erect Walls to keep others out which further breaks down any hope at peace and tranquility in human relations. Walls aren't what we need. In the words of the Late President Ronald Reagan-- ..." Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Jen:

Thank you for your kind words.

And I agree with you totally. "Walls aren't what we need. In the words of the Late President Ronald Reagan-- ..." Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

And that goes for barriers of all kinds, psychological barriers, racial barriers, religious barriers, gender barriers. ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.

I second that notion Brother Rich
All Men Are Created Equal!

Brother Mozell have you been watching old episodes of the "the Honeymooners"? ((lol))

SCENE FROM THE HONEYMOONERS:

MAN: "This is the way we run this house. I'm the boss and you're nothing.

WIFE: (smirks) "That's about your speed. Boss over nothing."

((Lol))

Sure the facts are the facts but choosing to move on is what I do inspite of the facts is what I do. What you do is your business and not my concern. I love people ---all of Allah's creations, but don't think I'm a fool either... I don't fool with any person who doesn't treat me the way I deserve to be treated and that is with respect regardless of what their color be... that includes Blacks, Asians, Whites, Africans, etc...

Hello Ms. Jen,

I believe that all of you are living in the past with the exception of Mr. Kigel. A way of knowing that you all are living in the past is because you do not want to be sovereign and have complete independence on a portion of this continent that you could call your very own country when God is offering us this option.

In other words, God is doing the same thing for Black Americans as God did for the children of Israel when they were in Egypt and had nothing of their own.

Therefore, it is obvious that you all are living in the past since you do not want to be sovereign people.

Anyway, Ms. Jen you said this, “White people should not be held to ransom for what their ancestors did and vice versa.----- Why are you so focused on the past anyway? What is done is done.”

Your comment vividly reveals the depth of your ignorance. Firstly, the tragedy of our ancestors’ slavery has not escaped us as their descendents. For example, they were deliberately made idiots. Consequentially, what else what they have too passed down to us but idiocy?

Ms. Jen, do you suppose that today’s generation including yourself somehow was cut off from the things that are passed down from generation to generation? For instance, the Passover that is still celebrated today by the Jewish people that were passed down from the time of Moses from one generation to the next generation do you not think has something to do with why they should feel proud to be Jewish people?

So, what is it then that you are telling us that what is done is done? What do you mean when you make such comments? In addition, all should be held responsible for our present condition of a people that is ignorant and have nothing of our own. If it is not White American people then it should be God, am I right. I say God because only God can fix us, am I right.

Tell me what you think.

Dear Mr. Rahman:

It's not real clear to me--and from the evidence here, it isn't so clear to many others on this site--exaxctly what you aim to accomplish by your postings.

How do you expect sharing 19th century atrocities and early 20th century lynchings--factual as they are--will help anybody now?

What exactly is your plan to help those "30% OF AFRICANS IN AMERICA" who "LIVE
BELOW THE POVERTY LINE? "

I see your strategy as totally ineffectual. It doesn't work. It won't contribute one milimeter toward achieving your desired goal--if your goal really is to uplift your people. How do your postings uplift anybody?

I would love to get your take on a more effective way to move toward the same goal.

I posted a blog the other day which reprinted an article from the NEW YORK TIMES titled:
"WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A BLACK PRIEST OPENS A BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM IN AN ALL WHITE TOWN? "

It was a story about an AFrican-American man who moved back to his family home in a town which was now all white. Almost all the blacks were chased out in the early part of the 20th century. There was a brutal lynching in 1906 of three black men.

This man, Rev. Moses, decided to fight racism with knowledge, change darkness to light by the only real means capable of changing people's hearts: EDUCATION! EDUCATION! EDUCATION!

He did it in a way that increased understanding, helped people learn something they didn't know before and from the comments of the people in the town, he did it in an effective way, succeeding in changing people's hearts and minds.

So how about trying a more effective strategy and taking a page out of Father Moses' book! His method has a proven track record of success. He changed a whole town.

Whose mind have you changed?

Dear Mr. Rahman:

"I ased a SPECIFIC question. If, you choose to respond please, be so kind as to, provid a SPECIFIC answer... "

Of course. I'll try my best.

"What would you say is the ORIGINAL REASON 30% OF AFRICANS, IN AMERICA, LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE? "

My answer: The ORIGINAL REASON? The root cause of poverty among African-Americans, I think everyone will agree, is the enduring legacy of chattel slavery, racism, JIm Crow apartheid and systematic dehumanization of blacks as written into the United States Consitution.

So now that I have obliged your request, how about returning the favor by answering my question.

Let's see if we can figure out a workable solution.

What exactly is your plan to help those "30% OF AFRICANS IN AMERICA" who "LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE? "

And how does venting your anger at historical injustice help anybody?

Hello Mr. Kigel,

Let me jump in and answer your question that you have asked Mr. Solomon.

But firstly, you suggested that Mr. Solomon take a page out of the book of Rev. Moses. However, I think that Rev. Moses should have taken a page out of the book of Prophet Moses and sincerely ask God to raise up a prophet among Black Americans to free Black Americans from the lynching, bondage, racism and subjugation of White America.

Did not God do what I am saying for the children of Israel when they were in bondage and slavery of Pharaoh and the Egyptian people? Do you not think Mr. Kigel that would have been more sensible and feasible if perhaps it was our time to be free? If Rev. Moses did as I said then perhaps you and I would not be having this conversation now, am I right.

Consequentially, the specific answer to the question is that the only permanent solution to remedy the 30% of Black Americans living below poverty level in White America is that Black Americans become a sovereign people or have complete independence from White America on a portion of this continent that we could call our very own country with borders to pursue life, liberty, happiness and prosperity in our own way.

Again, did not God do for the children of Israel what I am suggesting that will be done for Black Americans is the right thing to do?

I know that you do not believe what I say because it seems impossible to happen. Just to think that the silly ignorant Black American people coming into possession of a portion of this continent and be permanently freed from White American people is incomprehensible to you. Nevertheless, what I say is most sensible and the sensibility is what keeps you blind, Mr. Kigel until the sovereignty of Black Americans is right up on you. The same happened to Pharaoh. Pharaoh thought that the things Moses was saying were simply impossible to happen against such a powerful nation as ancient Egypt was even though what Moses was saying were sensible until it was right up on Pharaoh, am I right.

Tell me what you think.